USA Swimming blow's it again

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Paul Smith — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:23:51 GMT

No doubt that there has been an incredible jump in participation post Olympics/Phelps...but still wonder if it could have been even more for both USS & USMS....so where do we go from here? How do we get more pools built vs. closed, how do we get more college teams to add swimming vs. drop it? Olympics golden for swim programs USA Swimming expects huge boost in participation www.thonline.com/article.cfm

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:35:34 GMT

Our swim team did some advertising by sponsoring the olympic coverage on our local NBC affiliate. Not a big spot, but it got our name and logo out there in the community.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Chris Stevenson — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:22:10 GMT

Here is an interesting article: www.slate.com/.../ (I just love Slate) What I find interesting about the article is that it illustrates some of the challenges in presenting swimming to the general public.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:28:09 GMT

I see some good ideas being posted here and there, but Paul, do you really blame Hoff's poor race finish on USA Swimming? Seriously?

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:58:35 GMT

Phelps turns and finishes well even when his goggles are full of water. Phenomenal attention to detail. I don't have any replay so I'm not sure about this but just before take your marks in the 200 fly I thought they showed Phelps pull his goggles away from his eye and reseat them. Does anyone have a recording they can check? Purely curiousity.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Allen Stark — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:48:02 GMT

I'd like to throw a little blame at the USOC.Swimming is the big medal winner for the US but they don't give it any particular emphasis.According to the ASCA Magazine the college coaches tried to get the USOC to give some money to help keep Olympic sport teams as scholarship teams and the USOC(which has a huge budget surplus evidently) said no.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Paul Smith — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:44:30 GMT

I see some good ideas being posted here and there, but Paul, do you really blame Hoff's poor race finish on USA Swimming? Seriously? Yes & No The coaching staff should have spent those weeks between trials and the Games drilling in on the little things like this...just as we all should have been doing the last few weeks leading into Portland...how many swimmers have you seen drive to the finish and throw their head back to see times...actions like that can and do cost races...but do agree there is only so much a coach can do and when the swimmer steps to the blocks it falls on them 100%.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

pwolf66 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:21:46 GMT

It still blows me away at how many high school kids leave the sport never knowing they can continue on in USMS...they simply fall thru the cracks in many cases and rediscover often in mid life....USA-S & NCAA needs to recognize that once these swimmers leave their organizations they become the parents that bring kids back into the sport...coordinate better and maybe we see more pools being built rather than closed, more colleges offering swimming programs than dropping them and masters clubs doubling and tripling their members. And in my opinion, THIS is the biggest mistake that is being made by all the swimming foundations. Does each of them figure the other is doing something and/or is responsible for advertising thier existance outside of thier participants? There needs to be much better VISIBLE communication between all the swimming foundations, not just in the US but in the world. Sure, they might be talking but it must be back channel as there is no indication from a public perspective that there is. What is wrong with a combined 'Swimming is for life' campaign that every swimming foundation participates in? As Paul said, today's swimmers are tomorrow's swim parents.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

knelson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:07:03 GMT

I was watching CBC tonight and noticed Swimming Canada is running an ad. Yeah, I'm sure the ad rates are considerably cheaper in Canada, but still a data point.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Paul Smith — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:06:44 GMT

I need to help clarify this subject. USA Swimming may be entrenched in its ways but it is not disorganized. Jessica Hardy problem... caused only by the lab, not any thing USA S could have known or done at the time. The lab has taken total responsibility for the delays. And just to be a grammar Nazi, there should not be an apostrophe in the word "blows" in the title. To the point, USA S has done a remarkable job of public relations beforehand and will reap rewards after the Olympics are over. Spending millions on an ad or campaign during the event that has a dubious or marginal possibility of return would just be wasteful. For all of the things USA Swimming is, it is not stupid. Michael, My criticism of USA-S (and USMS) is that in my opinion neither organization has the "killer" attitude that could propel the sports to much higher participation rates, generate higher sponsorship $$ and be more accessible to the general public than the every 4 year Olympic gig....hence my opinion that they are "coasting". USA-S & USMS are businesses whether they want to accept it or not and they should be modeling their operations like other successful businesses...they are in the competition of sport...it would be nice to see some competitiveness. With a once in a lifetime swimmer in the spotlight the attitude is that its "enough" PR/advertising just having the events on TV...in my experience in the business world there is never enough and opportunities like this rarely if ever present themselves so take every advantage of them. As for being disorganized, I rest my case in regard to the fax in the office JH situation (there are some many problems with how everything was handled its not worth the time to dwell on them but a jury sure will), scheduling trials so late, all the poor "details" the team is missing in races (Hoff's touch for example). The other thing I'd like to see is an organized "feeder" system that is better at identifying young prospects and developing them thru a system of USA-S training camps. I'd also like to see more effort put into tying together all of swimmings organizations (USS, USMS, NCAA) into a more unified strategy of keeping people in touch with and involved with the sport from birth. It still blows me away at how many high school kids leave the sport never knowing they can continue on in USMS...they simply fall thru the cracks in many cases and rediscover often in mid life....USA-S & NCAA needs to recognize that once these swimmers leave their organizations they become the parents that bring kids back into the sport...coordinate better and maybe we see more pools being built rather than closed, more colleges offering swimming programs than dropping them and masters clubs doubling and tripling their members.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:09:42 GMT

Phelps turns and finishes well even when his goggles are full of water. Phenomenal attention to detail. How many swimmers have we seen enter the water with their hands apart? I have seen many including Americans. That kind of stuff will get you doing push-ups during practice!!!! Or other fun and evil exercises.....

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:51:34 GMT

Paul, well said.....and a good example of this working is Phelps. I have heard that he works all of the details of each race. When is the last time you saw him pull up short at the finish? Doesn't happen often does it? Too many coaches these days think that they can pound out yards and that will do it.......WRONG.....coach the total race not just part of it. Drive through the wall to finish the race.... Phelps turns and finishes well even when his goggles are full of water. Phenomenal attention to detail. How many swimmers have we seen enter the water with their hands apart? I have seen many including Americans.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:25:48 GMT

Yes & No The coaching staff should have spent those weeks between trials and the Games drilling in on the little things like this...just as we all should have been doing the last few weeks leading into Portland...how many swimmers have you seen drive to the finish and throw their head back to see times...actions like that can and do cost races...but do agree there is only so much a coach can do and when the swimmer steps to the blocks it falls on them 100%. Paul, well said.....and a good example of this working is Phelps. I have heard that he works all of the details of each race. When is the last time you saw him pull up short at the finish? Doesn't happen often does it? Too many coaches these days think that they can pound out yards and that will do it.......WRONG.....coach the total race not just part of it. Drive through the wall to finish the race....

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:52:29 GMT

So, instead of your Monday morning quarterbacking, why don't you propose a solution that an organization can actually afford. I've lived through the enormous cost of advertising on the Olympics for a gigantic multi billion dollan MNC with a massive marketing budget. What you are saying sounds cute but you really need to support your statements financially. What kind of coffer do you think it takes? Don't start your statement with any company with a net cap of less than $500m and that's probably way way low. Do you really think NBC wants anything to do with an org than can only shell out $100K or less when they have outlayed over $1b USD? How much do you think an ad costs prime time during swimming? And, don't think you can buy just one ad, it's a package. Product placement might be a better and more affordable idea. Not sure how you sneak that in. USAS could probably get this for free if they offered up something in trade. The USAS (and USOC) have something - access to athletes, training facilities, etc that might be valuable to NBC (or any other media company). This is dangerous territory though when exclusivity might be granted (surely that's what NBC would want). This is the kind of activity that caused the problem between USAS and Floswimming.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:33:18 GMT

If anyone's curious about the financials of USA Swimming, you can get part of the picture from their Form 990 that they have to file every year to keep their non-profit legal and tax status. (I use the free part of Guidestar.org for it, though it's a little irritating to have to register for that) Their CEO compensation package is about $500K a year. I'm not sure how that works out to CEO pay in similar other roles. And they pay Shubert somewhat less than market rate, so I can understand why he'd take sponsor money from Speedo on top of that salary. (Not like he's in poverty or anything, but he'd make 50% more for the same role for the UK's elite swimming program)

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:17:47 GMT

I don't know that much of the specifics of how USA Swimming is running its organization, but I don't think they need to advertise, at all. They are getting all they need every night. I've spoken to a couple of parents with younger kids who are just fixated on the swimming coverage. They won't have any problem at all finding the local club. JAEGERMEISTER, One of the problems is if the parents go out and find a local country club with summer league instead of being AWAKENED to USA year 'round swimming through this kind of advertising...... or worse..... they wait until next years summer league comes around and the kids lose interest by then. USA swimming needs to go for it on the national advertising scene. Grab a hold of Phelp's leg and ride this wave as long as possible. John Smith

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

aquageek — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:16:50 GMT

Free? Get something for trade? This isn't a flea market but I guess creative ideas should be pitched.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

aquageek — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:44:24 GMT

So, instead of your Monday morning quarterbacking, why don't you propose a solution that an organization can actually afford. I've lived through the enormous cost of advertising on the Olympics for a gigantic multi billion dollan MNC with a massive marketing budget. What you are saying sounds cute but you really need to support your statements financially. What kind of coffer do you think it takes? Don't start your statement with any company with a net cap of less than $500m and that's probably way way low. Do you really think NBC wants anything to do with an org than can only shell out $100K or less when they have outlayed over $1b USD? How much do you think an ad costs prime time during swimming? And, don't think you can buy just one ad, it's a package. Product placement might be a better and more affordable idea. Not sure how you sneak that in. Lochte's dad was wearing a USS logo golf shirt in the stands on this morning's coverage. Wonder if he got paid for that?

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Paul Smith — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:35:01 GMT

JAEGERMEISTER, One of the problems is if the parents go out and find a local country club with summer league instead of being AWAKENED to USA year 'round swimming through this kind of advertising...... or worse..... they wait until next years summer league comes around and the kids lose interest by then. USA swimming needs to go for it on the national advertising scene. Grab a hold of Phelp's leg and ride this wave as long as possible. John Smith Although I started this thread with USA-S in mind the same situation holds true for USMS. The other night I listened to a prime time news anchorwoman say how motivated she was and that she wanted to start swimming...lot of oppurtunity all the way around...but apparently no foresight to take advantage of it before things got going.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

resqme — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:52:06 GMT

Grab a hold of Phelp's leg and ride this wave as long as possible. I totally agree with this one from John, USA Swimming is right in the middle of the perfect storm and they HAVE to ride the wave NOW and not just rest on their laurels, or they are going to miss out on the biggest golden opportunity USA Swimming has and may ever have again.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:05:58 GMT

Seems to me that the organization is entrenched in its ways and somewhat disorganized... You're kidding, right? :rant3:

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:05:13 GMT

For what they charge for USA Swimming yearly membership, I think that they could afford one spot. $57 (annual membership) = millions in adverising costs? Sorry, I just don't see it. Although, a link or banner ad on nbcolympic.com swimming pages would likely be money well spent.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:53:39 GMT

Fair enough.

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:38:36 GMT

RE: USA Swimming blow's it again

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:35:51 GMT

Why didn't you suggest this before the games?